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Statement of the SEDE Members, following the mission in Ukraine, Kiev 18-20 March 2015

30-03-2015 - 12:09

The delegation of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence reiterated the European Parliament's global comprehensive support to Ukraine and its authorities. The SEDE delegation chaired by Anna Fotyga, included Ana Gomes, Michael Gahler, Eugen Freund as well as Andrej Plenkovic, Chair of EU-Ukrainian Delegation who joined the visit. Members were in Kiev in the framework of a joint mission with the Committee on Budgetary Affairs.

The delegation met with Ukrainian authorities including the Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavel Klimkin, the Speaker of the Verhovna Rada, Volodymyr Groysman and Members of the Parliamentary Committee for National Security and Defence as well as with the Head of the National Security and Defence Council Oleksandr Turchynov.

All Ukrainian interlocutors stressed that Russian strategy goal is to undermine not only the independence of Ukraine, but more generally European security. Turchinov said indeed that Russia has not achieved this goal and it will pursue, as before, by not implementing the Minsk ceasefire and preparing new offensive. To this "empire strikes back" strategy we need to build common counter strategy, a wall of economic sanctions and other measures that Putin will not be able to climb. For Klimkin a UN or EU peacekeeping mission is the solution, although a Russian veto is to be expected at the UN Security Council.

Members assured that sanctions will not be lifted before the Minsk agreement is fully implemented, which means that Ukraine will regain control over all of its border.

The delegation stressed the solidarity of the majority of EP with Ukraine and suggested that keeping this solidarity is key to deter further attempts to undermine Ukraine's and Europe's security.

The other meetings concentrated also on the difficulties in implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Members focused also on activities of EU Advisory Mission (EUAM Ukraine) under CSDP, which is a non executive civilian mission for the advise and mentoring to Ukrainian actors. Delegation agrees that EUAM costitutes an important element of the support in the process of reforms in Ukraine in areas of SSR, Rule of Law, fighting against corruption etc.

SEDE/DNAT visit to the NATO Headquarters

27-03-2015 - 11:19

On 26th March a delegation of several Members of SEDE and DNAT visited the NATO Headquarters. Members were informed on the follow-on of the Wales Summit, on New Forms of Warfare as well as on Russia and Ukraine followed by an exchange of views with Jamie Shea, Deputy Assistant Secretary General and NATO experts.

Aviation safety over conflict zones/threats to civilian aviation

19-03-2015 - 11:23

On 24 March the Subcommittee held an exchange of views on aviation safety over conflict zones and territories controlled by the military and threats to civilian aviation by military aircrafts with Frank Brenner, Director-General of Eurocontrol and Bogdan Gajewski, Senior Corrective Action Engineer at the Safety and Security Directorate of Transport Canada (retired).

Militarization of Crimea and security situation

19-03-2015 - 11:16

On 24 March the Subcommittee exchanged views on the militarisation of Crimea and the security situation one year after the illegal annexation by Russia with representatives from the Crimean Tatar community and the Crimean Tatar Mejlis.